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Warren Gatland says Welsh rugby will "look after" George North if his Northampton career ends early.

The Wales wing's Saints contract expires at the end of this season, after which he will move back to Wales on a national dual contract.

North's selection to face NatWest 6 Nations opponents Italy this weekend comes four days on from him missing Northampton's Aviva Premiership game against Sale Sharks, after which interim Saints boss Alan Gaffney suggested the 25-year-old had not wanted to play for Northampton.

North had been released by Wales as it was a Six Nations fallow week, but he did not feature for Northampton amid reports he had an arrangement with former Saints rugby director Jim Mallinder that he would not play club rugby on rest weekends.

Gatland said: "The message I have said to George is, if he wants to come home quicker than next season we will look after him."

Gareth Davies is one of three to have signed dual contracts with Scarlets and WRU Credit: PA

Wales international trio Jonathan Davies, Jake Ball and Gareth Davies have all signed national dual contracts with the Scarlets and Welsh Rugby Union.

The WRU announced that the Scarlets stars have put pen to paper.

Centre Jonathan Davies has taken up a contract option to remain at the Scarlets, lock Ball has signed his second dual contract at the Llanelli-based region and scrum-half Gareth Davies has agreed one for the first time.

National dual contracts are funded 60 per cent by the WRU and 40 per cent by a player's region.

Jonathan Davies and Ball are currently sidelined by injuries, but Gareth Davies was an integral part of Wales' first two NatWest 6 Nations performances against Scotland and England.

Greig Laidlaw booted 22 points on his return to Scotland's starting line-up as Gregor Townsend's men kick-started their NatWest 6 Nations campaign with a 32-26 win over France.

The home side were under pressure to prove they were genuine contenders after being humiliated by Wales in last week's opener in Cardiff.

And they did just that, with tries from Sean Maitland and Huw Jones providing the perfect response after Teddy Thomas' blistering pace had twice cut them apart.

That left the game finely poised in the second half but Laidlaw - making his first Scotland start in a year - slotted over all eight of his kicks to breathe fresh life into Scottish championship hopes.